Multiple section vertical lift door



March 5, 1963 A. E. FENTIMAN MULTIPLE SECTION VERTICAL LIFT DOOR Filed D90. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor ARTHUR E. FENTIMAN g VKM- At'b o rneyr March 5, 1963 A. E. FENTIMAN 3,079,989

MULTIPLE SECTION VERTICAL LIFT DOOR Filed Deo. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor ARTHUR E. FENTIMAN March 5, 1963 A. E. FENTIMAN MULTIPLE SECTIONVERTICAL LIFT DOOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed DeC- 14, 1959 FIG.7.

March 5, 1963 A. E. FENTIMAN 3,079,989

MULTIPLE SECTION VERTICAL LIFT DOOR Filed Dec. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lha Att orney 3,979 989 MULTIPLE SECTION VERTICAL LIFT DOOR Arthur E. Fentiman, Stittsville, Ontario, Canada, assignor to F. Fentilnan & Sons, Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Filed Dec. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 859,225 3 Claims. (Cl. 160-189) This invention relates to improvements in a multiple section vertical lift door and appertains particularly to one having a counterbalance mechanism that automatically adjusts to equal the changing load of the door being raised or lowered, depending on the number of door sections being carried.

In multiple section vertical lift doors where the bottom section is raised alone until level with the second section and then the two sections are raised together until level with the third section and then the three sections are all raised together until level with the next higher section and so on, with the weight of one section after another being added to the load, the problem has been one of eiciently and economically handling the changing load on the lifting apparatus.

To compensate for the changing load of the opening or closing door as the weight of one section after another is added or removed, I employ an arrangement of counterbalancing weights that automatically adjusts to equal the weight of the num-ber of door panels being raised or lowered so that the lifting mechanism requires only a minimum of power, sufficient to overcome inertia and friction.

It will be appreciated that if the prime mover for operating a multiple section vertical lift door has to have sufficient power both to support and move the full load of all the door sections at maximum, then such prime mover must be unduly large and heavy and expensive to provide, install and oper-ate. Furthermore, it would occupy space otherwise available for door opening or commercial use.

With my automatic counterbalancing mechanism I have found that even the largest and heaviest industrial doors need only a small motor to actuate the mechanical door lift or alternatively that even the largest doors can be easily operated by a hand chain.

In accomplishing the aforementioned advantages in a vertical lift door, one of the specific objects of the invention is to provide a multiple section door wherein the door and each horizontal section thereof is progressively, automatically and adjustably balanced, so that the door regardless of its position from fully closed to fully opened and back to fully closed, is always in a state of static equilibrium in relation to its counterbalancing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a counterbalance mechanism to compensate for a progressively increasing or diminishing load in which a weight that is equal to half the load increase moves from one side of the balance to the other side simultaneously with the pick up of the load increase.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vertical lift door comprising a plurality of sections that lie in substantially vertical co-planar relation when the door is closed and stack in horizontally juxtaposed parallel relation when opened.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple section vertical lift door having an inclined guide for the bottom section; novel improved means on each section, excepting the uppermost, for pick up engagement of the section next above; and self-positioning nesting guides for supporting and retaining each section, except the bottom one, in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vertical lift door whose panels have interlocking means along their 3,079,989 Patented Mar. 5, 1963 ICC horizontal edges for engagement with the adjacent panels above and/ or below and vertical stiieners constantly engaged in slidable contact by the next lower panel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vertical lift door of improved construction, ecient operation and enhanced usefulness.

To the accomplishment of these and related objects as shall become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement -of parts as shall be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

The invention will be best understood and can be more clearly described when reference is had to the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an interior elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical transverse section, as taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view' of FIGURE l;

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are schematic views, simulating vertical transverse sections, showing the relative positions of the door sections and counterbalance weights in door closed, half opened and fully opened positions, respectively;

FIGURE 7 is an inside elevation of one of the door sections;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged perspective sectional detail of the engaging top and bottom edges of adjacent intermediate panels;

FIGURE 9 is a detail of the loweredge of the bottom panel;

FIGURE lO is an enlarged vertical sectional detail of the intercngagingdoor panels;

FIGURE ll is a perspective sectional detail of a portion of the top of a panel showing a cut-,out in the flange there- 0f; Y

FIGURE l2 is a perspective detail of the slidable connection between adjacent panels;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the'panel reinforcing guide slide;

FIGURES 14 and'lS are vertical and horizontal cross sections of the slidable guide member in its channel track and surrounding parts of the connected panels;

FIGURE l6 is a perspective assembly detail of a simple form of positioning and supporting device for the lower corners of the door sections;

FIGURE 17 is a perspective detail of the lower corner of a panel prepared to accommodate such as positioning device;

FIGURES 18, 19, 20 and 2l show the tapered positioning device in outer` end, inside, inner end and plan views respectively;

FIGURE 22 is an elevational detail of the preferred saw-tooth guide pocket structure on the weight box; and

FIGURE 23 is a horizontal section thereof as taken on line 23-23.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the door 1 is shown as seen in FIGURES l, to 6 inclusive as mounted in the door opening 2 of a building or other surrounding structure 3, the door opening being defined as usual by vertical jarnbs on opposite spaced sides and a horizontal header across the top.

On the inside ofthe building 3 and set just wider than the door opening a pair of metal housings I call weight boxes 4 are positioned, one against the inside of each side jamb of the door opening 2. These boxes are hollow and rectangular in horizontal cross-section but widen inwardly, with regard to the building wall and door opening 2, toward the top 4a that rises substantially above the top of the door opening. On the confronting faces of the weight boxes 4 a guide slot 5 runs at an incline from bottom 4b to top 4a, adjacent to and paralleling the sloping inner wall 4c of the weight box.

The door 1 consists of a pluralityV of individual horizontally extending sections that lie, when the door is closed, in substantially vertical coplanar relation but overlapping suiciently for interlocking marginal engagement with adjoining sections. When the door is fully open the several sections lie stacked in horizontally juxtaposed position between the tops of the weight boxes and clear of the top of the door opening. The illustrated door is shown with six sections,v viz., a bottom section 6a, four intermediate sections 6b, 6b', 6'0", 6W" and a top section 6c'.

A lifting mechanism that will be later described is housed in the weight boxes 4 and connects therein to the bottom door section 6a only. This bottom section has a 'guide pin 7 on the top at each end that extends through the weight box inclined slot 5 and an elongated rod 8 projecting from each end near the bottom that extends through the slot and traverses a substantial part of the width of the box 4 for engagement by the lift mechanism chain.

Each door section has vertical sliding engagement with the section above it, excepting the top section 6c and it may have comparable sliding connection with the area of the insidewall of the building immediately above the door opening. K

As the bottom section 6a is raised by the lifting mechanism, and guided by its projecting end pins and rods in the guide slots in the weight boxes that serve as side jambs for the door structure, it rises until level with the intermediate section 6b and then engages itin lifting relation and the two sections rise until level withthe -next higher intermediate section 6b when it is engaged in turn lifting relation by section 6b and so on until all the sections have been raised above the top of the door opening.

When closing the door, the six sections all descend in a block until the topsectionv 6c is arrested on reaching its closed position, thereupon the remaining tive sections descend together until the next section 6V" reaches its closed position and it likewise is arrested and the remaining four sections descend together, dropping off one section after another as each reaches its allotted position.

As the detailed structure of the door sections is now described, it will be readily understood how these various and seemingly quite unrelated cooperating' section actions occur. EachY section extendsv horizontally across the door opening with just enough clearance between its ends and the confronting sides ofthe spaced weight boxes to allow it to slide vertically without restraint. Along the top of each therel is a wide lhorizontal flange 9 projecting to the inside of the door and this is doubled on itself with the return reach projecting substantially beyond the vertical body of the section to terminate in a downwardly inclined lip 10 spaced outwardly of the section body. Across the bottom of each section there is an inwardly extending horizontal ange 11 with its inner edge bent upwards to provide an inclined lip 12. In the case of the bottom section, the lip 12a is bent vertical, as seen in FIGURE 9. When the door is in closed position the downwardly inclined lip 10 spacedV outwardly from the top edge of a section is designed to engage the inside of the upwardly inclined lip 12 of the section next above, andA in this way the door sections could be suspendedone from the other by interlocking horizontal marginal engagement that tends also to draw the sections closely together because of the complementary inclines of the confronting lips 10 and 12.

The sections vare articulated and positively retained against relative lateral separation at all times and throughout their travels by vertically slidable, lateral separation restricters connecting adjacent sections. On the outside ofkeach section near the top and at intervals suitably spaced across the width of the section sliders 14 are mounted, each having a horizontally extending narrow neck 14a and a horizontally disposed cross head 14b (see FIGURES l0, 12, 14 and l5). As each such slider iS tucked close up under the outer side lip 1i), an accommodating arcuate cut-out 16a is provided where needed in the lip (see FIGURES 10 and l1). Each section has on its inner side and running for the height thereof a number of vertically arranged guide channels 15 equal to and registering with the sliders 14- on the next lower section. These guide channels (as seen in vFIGURES Yl0, 12, 13, 14 and l5) are conveniently formed of two spaced Zs providing a vertical guide for the slider head 14' with a constricted opening for the slider neck 14a. Thus it will be seen that as one section afteranother is raised, its top iange lip 1i) rises from the trough formed by the ange 1l and lip 12 ontne lower edge of the section next above and its sliders 14 run vertically in the guides 15 of the said section next above, thereby retaining the sections so connected in predetermined lateral relation.

Furthermore, it will now be obvious that as the bottom section 6e is raised in this vertical sliding relation with the next above intermediate section 6b, it rises until level with the section 6h when the upper side of the horizontal top flange 9 contacts the underside of the iiangel 9 of section 6h and then together they are lifted, with section 6b in sliding relation with section 6b next above until the flange 9 of section 6b contacts the underside of flange 9 of section 6b whenthe three sections rise in unison, picking up successive sections in the same way. The several sections so stacking and all held against lateral separation by the interlocked s'iiders and guide channels are controlled at all times in the lateral position the stack assumes by the bottom section 6a running in the' inclined slots 5 inthe weight boxes d. In this connection it may be pointed out that guides may be mounted on the inside wall of the buildinU above the door opening for engagement by sliders on the top section 6, if desired. Guide channels 15 are also applied to the bottom section 6au although not engaged by sliders on any lower section because the channels serve the further and quite importantY function of rigidifying and uniting the sections thus' greatly increasing the strength of the individual sections and the assembled door. Channels 15 on the bottom section also support an angle 16 or other suitable form that is bolted to the guides and so is easily adjusted to any slope or unevenness of the floor. The angle normally carries weather-stripping but may be .provided with a safety control if required. v

In the lower corner of each door section,excepting the bottom one 6a, a sectionV locking bolt in the form of a positioning wedge 17 is mounted on the inside (as will be seen in vFIGURES 16V and 18-20), the flange 11 and its inclined lip 12 being cut away as at 11a shown clearly in FIGURE 17, to accommodate it. Welded or otherwise secured to the bottom corners of the section, the lwedge which may be rectangular in lplan and horizontal cross section projects below the anged bottom edge of the section and such projection is tapered vertically on two faces, viz., 17a toward the inside of the building and i7b facing toward the centre ofthe door whilst the other two faces toward the end of the door and the outside of the building remain square. Y p

Mounted on the confronting faces of the weight boxes 4 that act as side jambs for the door are a row of open top channel pockets 18 (see FIGURES 16 and 21) to receive the section wedges 17 that iit therein in self positioning relation and so serve to support the respective sections when closed or lowered. The preferred cornposite pocket structure is shown however in FIGURES the Wedges 17 of the ve sections nest respectively. This form of positioning pocket and support provides the riser portions 18, intermediate the open top steps in which the wedges are received, against which risers the outer sides of the ends of the sections are laterally pressed in snug engagement as against a jamb stop by the action of the taper on face 17P- of the wedges (see FIGURES 2 and 22).

The successive actions and the relation of adjacent sections to each other and the weight box slots and positioning pocket guides, as regards the opening of the door, the pick up of one section after another until all are stacked above the door opening and the subsequent lowering of the door with one section after another being stopped and positioned and supported by the wedges nesting in the saw-tooth pocket guides will now be understood and it will be clearly seen how the weight of the opening door that must be borne by the lifting mechanism increases as each successive section is picked up by the rising pack or dropped oil on descending as it reaches its saw-toothed guide pocket support. Accordingly, if the bottom section 6a weighs 8O pounds and each of the tive sections thereabove weight 50 pounds each, then the lifting mechanism must begin by raising a load of 8O pounds that increase to 13() (804-50) pounds as the next panel 6b is picked up and to 18() (80-j-50}5G) as the third panel 6b' is picked up, and so on until in its final stage the load has become 330 (SO-j-SO-l-SO-I-SO-i-SO-i-SO) pounds. To economically and efficiently handle such a changing load7 l provide an automatically adjusting counter balance mechanism lwherein the counterbalance weight is increased or decreased simultaneously with the pick up or release of each section whereby the total `weight or load on opposite sides of the balance center are maintained in a constant state of static equilibrium.

A simple device for Iaccomplishing this constant counterbalancing of a changing load is shown diagrammatically in FIGURES 4, fand 6 wherein a exible member such as a chain, cable or the like is Iattached by one end 26a to the lift rod -8 `of the bottom door section 6a and passing over a pulley 21 on shaft 22 at the rtop of the weight box 4 suspends a main door weight 23 from its other end 20h. Normally -when the door iS closed, this main weight 23 is suspended near the top of the weight box, just over the balance center or pulley 21. Spaced appropriately along the length of the chain 20, between the pulley 21 and the connection of the end of Ithe chain with the rod -8 of the bottom section, on the side of center opposite that where the main weight is suspended, are a series of tive lesser or tumble weights 24, 25, 26, 27 and 2S that correspond in number with the iive normally free door sections and are individually related to the sections 6b, 6b', 6b" and Gb'" and 6 respectively.

The main door weight 23 normally alone on one lside of center balances the load on the other side of center that consists of the lower door section 6a Iand the iive lesser or tumble weights 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. -For eX- ample, using the door section weights suggested above, viz., 8O pounds `for the bottom section yand 50 pounds each for the iive sections thereabove, the main door weight 23 would be 205 pounds and the iive lesser weights 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 -would be 25 pounds each `or a .total of 125 pounds which together with the 80 pound weight ofthe bottom section would total also 205 pounds. By rotating the pulley 21 as by the conventional hand chain 36, 'bottom section 6a rises until level Awith the intermediate section 6b when its weight of 50 pounds is `added -to the load on the rst side of the counterbalance but -as this occurs, lesser weight 24 tumbles over the ceniter to cut its 25 pounds from the load on the iirst side and add it to the load on the second side so that the load on the rst side is now bottom door section, 8O pounds, intermediate section 6b, 50 pounds, lesser weights 25, Z6, 27 and 28, 100 pounds for Ia total of 230 pounds and on the second side of the balance the load is main door weight 205 pounds and lesser weight 24, 25 pounds for a like total of 230 pounds. Similarly as the second intermediate section 6b' is picked up Ithe weight of the load on the lrst side is increased by 50 pounds thereby but simultaneously reduced by 25 pounds as lesser weight 25 crossing over the pulley 21 tumbles over center and thereby adds its 25 pounds to the weight of the load on the second side of the balance which is now 255 pounds on each side. And so las each successive door section is pickedfup adding its 50 pounds to the overall load, it is counterbalanced by its corresponding 25 pound lesser weight tumbling to the other side of the balance thereby automatically maintaining the mechanism in a constant state of 4static equilibrium. As the door is lowered on closing, it will be apparent ythat as each Isection reaches its arresting position on the saw-tooth pocket vguide support so that the iirst side of the balance is relieved of its load, its related lesser weight tumbles simultaneously over center from the second side of the balance to compensate for the loss of the weight of its door unit mate.

To facilitate movement of the tumble Weights 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 over the pulley center, KI have arbitrarily formed each one in three ilexibly connected parts.

yBasic to fthe operation of this counterbalance mechanism that reduces the power required to raise and lo-wer the door to little more than that necessary to overcome friction and inertia is the provision of a balance wherein the load on one side is equal to the load on the other side, the load on one side including the weight of the lowermost unit together with the weight for each uni-t to be picked up and just half as heavy as such additional unit and which half-unit weights can be transposed to the 4opposite side of the balance as its unit is added to the load on the iirst side.

Throughout the description of the counterbalance mechanism it has been treated as if composed of but one assembly of weights for clarity and simplicity `of explanation. It will be noted, however, that 4a counterbalance mechanism assembly is prorvided on each side of the door in the weight boxes 4 and that the bottom door section is lifted at both ends, so that the respective weights in each side box assembly are accordingly one-half the given weights.

While only a simple hand chain 30 has been shown for :actuating the counterbalance pulley shaft 22, it is obvious that the commonly used power driven door actuators may be employed, but I prefer to use :the selectably -operable power drive disclosed in -my U.S. Patent No. 2,874,959.

*From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that ya multiple section vent-ical lift door is provided that will fulfill all the necessary requirements of such =a device, but as many changes could be made in the above description and many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention may Ibe constructed within the scope of the Iappended claims, without departing from the spin't or scope thereof, it is intended `that all matters contained in the said accompanying speciication `and `drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a 4limitative or restrictive sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a -lift door construction including `a drame, a plurality of vertically movable door sections mounted on said frame, support means for said door sections whereby to individually support said door sections upon said frame against vertically downward motion when in a given position, said door sections having -means cooperating with the next adjacent door section thereabove whereby in the raising and lowering of the door each door section supports the door section `thereabove when lthe door section thereabove -is free from engagement with said support means, each of said door sections having a `given weight,

the force thereof actingin a vertically downward direction; the improvement comprising -the combination with said multiple section lift door of an automatically adjusting counterbalancing mechanism for maintaining said lift door in static equilibrium at all times including a cen-tre of balance, a ymain door Weight, a plurality of sets of tumble weights, a given one of each lof said sets of tumble weights -having a weight equal to one-halfof the Weight of a given door section, lthe total weight of said tum-ble weights equaling the weight of said main door weight, a exible member having one end thereof attached to the lowerrnost of said door sections, the other end attached to said main door weigh-t, and said sets of tumble weights secured intermediate the ends thereof at spaced apart positions, said door, main door weights and tumble weights being secured to said door and said exible member being entrained about said centre of balance in juxtaposition -so that the weight force of said main door Weight acts in a 'direction opposite the weight force of each `of said door sections and the weight force of each of said sets of tum- 4ble weights is transferable about said centre of balance from the direction of the weight lforce of said door sections to a `direction opposite the direction of the weight -force of said door sections, and vice versa, whereby to maintain the Weight forces of said door sections, main door weight land sets of Itumble weights in a condition or" equilibrium at 'all times.

2. A lift door -as specified in claim 1 wherein -as each of said door sections is lifted from said support means a set of tumble Weights having a, weight force equal to oneiialf of the weight of the lifted door section is transferred about said centre of ybalance from a Weight force direction corresponding to the weight force direction of .the door sections to a weight force direction corresponding to the Weight force direction of s-aid main door weight.

3. A lift door as specied in claim 1 wherein yas each of said door sections is lowered onto said support means a set of tumble weights having a weight 'force equal to one-half of Ithe Weight of the llowered door section is transferred about said centre of balance from a weight force direction corresponding to the weight force direction of said main `door weight to a weight force direction corresponding to the weight force direction of the door sections.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,431 McKenzie Apr. 30, 1895 782,534 Adams Feb. 14, 1905 796,448 Potthoff Aug. 8, -190'5 1,385,023 Parodi July 19, 1921 1,788,651 Alderson Jan. 13, 1931 2,007,552 Vetterlein July 9, 1935 2,523,844 Rohrman Sept. 26, 1950 

1. IN A LIFT DOOR CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING A FRAME, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY MOVABLE DOOR SECTIONS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID DOOR SECTIONS WHEREBY TO INDIVIDUALLY SUPPORT SAID DOOR SECTIONS UPON SAID FRAME AGAINST VERTICALLY DOWNWARD MOTION WHEN IN A GIVEN POSITION, SAID DOOR SECTIONS HAVING MEANS COOPERATING WITH THE NEXT ADJACENT DOOR SECTION THEREABOVE WHEREBY IN THE RAISING AND LOWERING OF THE DOOR EACH DOOR SECTION SUPPORTS THE DOOR SECTION THEREABOVE WHEN THE DOOR SECTION THEREABOVE IS FREE FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SUPPORT MEANS, EACH OF SAID DOOR SECTIONS HAVING A GIVEN WEIGHT, THE FORCE THEREOF ACTING IN A VERTICALLY DOWNWARD DIRECTION; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING THE COMBINATION WITH SAID MULTIPLE SECTION LIFT DOOR OF AN AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING COUNTERBALANCING MECHANISM FOR MAINTAINING SAID LIFT DOOR IN STATIC EQUILIBRIUM AT ALL TIMES INCLUDING A CENTRE OF BALANCE, A MAIN DOOR WEIGHT, A PLURALITY OF SETS OF TUMBLE WEIGHTS, A GIVEN ONE OF EACH OF SAID SETS OF TUMBLE WEIGHTS HAVING A WEIGHT EQUAL TO ONE-HALF OF THE WEIGHT OF A GIVEN DOOR SECTION, THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF SAID TUMBLE WEIGHTS EQUALING THE WEIGHT OF SAID MAIN DOOR WEIGHT, A FLEXIBLE MEMBER HAVING ONE END THEREOF ATTACHED TO THE LOWERMOST OF SAID DOOR SECTIONS, THE OTHER END ATTACHED TO SAID MAIN DOOR WEIGHT, AND SAID SETS OF TUMBLE WEIGHTS SECURED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF AT SPACED APART POSITIONS, SAID DOOR, MAIN DOOR WEIGHTS AND TUMBLE WEIGHTS BEING SECURED TO SAID DOOR AND SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER BEING ENTRAINED ABOUT SAID CENTRE OF BALANCE IN JUXTAPOSITION SO THAT THE WEIGHT FORCE OF SAID MAIN DOOR WEIGHT ACTS IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE THE WEIGHT FORCE OF EACH OF SAID DOOR SECTIONS AND THE WEIGHT FORCE OF EACH OF SAID SETS OF TUMBLE WEIGHTS IS TRANSFERABLE ABOUT SAID CENTRE OF BALANCE FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE WEIGHT FORCE OF SAID DOOR SECTIONS TO A DIRECTION OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF THE WEIGHT FORCE OF SAID DOOR SECTIONS, AND VICE VERSA, WHEREBY TO MAINTAIN THE WEIGHT FORCES OF SAID DOOR SECTIONS, MAIN DOOR WEIGHT AND SETS OF TUMBLE WEIGHTS IN A CONDITION OF EQUILIBRIUM AT ALL TIMES. 